Container with telescopic cover



4, 1964 F. E. WILEY EI'AL CONTAINER WITH TELESCOPIC COVER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 27, 195

g- 1964 F. E. WILEY EFAL 3,143,239

CONTAINER WITH TELESCOPIC COVER Filed May 27, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent 3,143,239 CDNTAENER WlTi-l TELESOOPKI C(EVER Fred E. Wiley, Longmeadow, Mass, and Clilford H. Goldsmith, Ridgefield, onn., assignors to Philip Morris incorporated, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Virginia Filed May 27, 1963, Ser. No. 2%,295 6 Claims. (ill. 2219-42) The invention concerns containers of a character having a cup-shaped body rectangular in cross section and a cover which is telescopically fitted thereover and readily removable and replaceable for access to the contents of the container.

The container is particularly advantageous for packaging of cigarettes such as in the usual quantity of twenty cigarettes. Among other desirable features the package is relatively air-tight and moistureproof. However, with a telescopic cover air-tightness requires a close fit of the cover on the body which introduces difiiculties in the ready application of the cover by the user of the package and the invention is particularly concerned with this latter problem.

In accordance with a specific embodiment disclosed herein the cup-shaped body has a band at the top inset from the sides of the main body forming a neck portion with peripheral shoulder a small distance below the top edge where it merges with the side panels of the body. The cover has a flange of considerable depth adapted to telescope over the top of the body and comprises an annular upper portion adapted to fit around the neck portion of the body, and a lower annular skirt portion ofiset outwardly and of enlarged dimensions adapted to fit down over the shoulder on the body and snugly engage the body at and below the shoulder. As will be more clearly demonstrated hereinafter the cover is capable of easy application to the body by first applying the cover in an angular position with the bottom edge of one of the narrow sides of the cover positioned over the neck of the body down close to the shoulder, then rocking the cover down so that the opposite narrow side is brought to a similar position, and finally pushing the cover down fully past the shoulder to engage around the body below the shoulder. As a characteristic of primary importance the dimensions of the body including the neck portion and of the cover including the enlarged skirt portion relative to the body portions are chosen such that from the initial angular position the cover may be freely rocked down past the opposite edge without interference, but in the subsequent fully closed position the skirt snugly engages around the body for a substantially air-tight seal. Further features and advantages of the invention will appear from a consideration of a representative embodiment thereof. Accordingly reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in elevation of a complete container with the cover applied representative of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a view in longitudinal vertical cross section of the cover showing certain detail features which may advantageously be incorporated;

FIG. 4 is a transverse cross sectional view in elevation taken on the plane 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view of the top portion of the body of the container looking toward the narrower side or edge;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the top portion of the container illustrating certain relations between the shape and dimensions of the compiemental parts of the body and cover; and

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic illustration of certain critical dimensions.

The general overall shape and proportions of a container embodying the principles of the invention may vary considerably but the container illustrated in the drawings is generally of the shape and size corresponding to a standard package of twenty cigarettes, and accordingly a horizontal cross section thereof has the shape of an oblong rectangle with a larger dimension or length corresponding to the width of the container and a narrower transverse dimension corresponding to the thickness of the container. It is composed of a cup-shaped body member 10 and a cover member 11 telescopically fitted over the top.

Likewise the materials of which the container is composed may vary but the principles of the invention are particularly advantageous in a container of the above charactor of drawn thermoplastic material, the walls of the body and cover varying in thickness from, for example, about .005 to .015 of an inch depending upon the particular area and its function. As a characteristic of the manner of forming the container the corners are all preferably somewhat rounded to result in a package free from sharp corners or points. The body and cover may each bear embossing of varying character as desired which may enhance the appearance of the container and also add stiffness to some areas of the walls. FIG. 1 shows the body with a design in the major panels represented diagrammatically at 12 and also a fiat area 13 which may contain legends either directly by embossing or by applied label. In the present case the vertical walls of the body 10 also have formed exteriorly thereon serrations or ribs 14 extending vertically which preferably are relatively fine in character, the individual ribs being no more han about .005 of an inch in height.

Like. ise the cover may bear suitable decorations or formations such as the flat label area 15 shown in FIG. 2 and the rib formations 17 at the ends of the cover as shown in FIG. 3 which apart from being decorative comprise roughened areas which aid in removing or applying the cover to the body.

As shown particularly in FIGS. 1 and 5 the body 10 is provided with a neck band portion 20 inset from the main part of the body a few thousandths of an inch and being correspondingly of smaller external dimensions and resulting in a shoulder 21 at the point where the band merges with the larger cross section of the body. The band 20 in a drawn thermoplastic container may be somewhat thicker than other areas for increased stiffness, the thickness being for example in the range of .010 to .015 of an inch.

As shown particularly in FIGS. 4 and 6 the cover is similarly shaped in general and includes an upper annular flange portion 25 adapted to engage over the neck portion of the body and an enlarged lower skirt portion 2% adapted to engage down over the shoulder 21 and closely fit around the body portion below the shoulder, the shoulder 27 of the cover engaging the shoulder 21 on the body.

The dimensions of the cover 11 particularly as related to the complemental parts of the body are of major and primary importance. For purposes of illustration and a clearer understanding of the invention specific dimensions will be given taken from an actual embodiment of the invention comprising a container for cigarettes. In such embodiment the container body had an outer overall dimensoin X (FIG. 6) of 2.164 inches including the thickness of the ribs 14 at each side of about .005 or a combined rib dimension of .010 of an inch. The corresponding outer dimension Y at the neck band was 2.130 inches. The height of the neck portion 20 indicated as the dimension Z in FIG. 6 was about .300 of an inch.

Referring to the cover the inner length or dimension A within the skirt (FIG. 3) was 2.164 inches corresponding substantially to the outer dimension X of the body. The inner length orvdimension B at the reduced annular portion 25 of the cover was 2.136 inches. The height of the skirt was not of major importnace and could vary considerably but in the container under discussion was about .250 of an inch.

The illustrative dimensions for the thickness of the body and inner transverse dimension of the cover will be described hereinafter in connection with FIGS. 4 and 5, but for the present the relations of the dimensions thus far specified will be discussed in relation to each other. In the diagrammatic FIG. 7 the dimensions Y and Z comprising the outer width of the neck portion and the height thereof are indicated as the two legs of a right triangle and the hypotenuse is indicated at H. For the values of Y of 2.130 inches and Z of .300 of an inch the hypotenuse H computes to 2.151 inches. As heretofore stated, the inner length A of the skirt portion 26 of the cover is 2.164 inches which is in excess of the hypotenuse I-l just specified. In applying the cover to the container it is easy and natural for it to be applied initially in the angular position shown at 11 in broken lines in FIG. 6, with the left bottom edge 30 of the cover at approximately the shoulder 21. Since the inner length of the skirt is in excess of the hypotenuse H the right end 31 of the cover (FIG. 6) may be moved down freely over the top edge of the neck portion 20 of the body at that end, and as the cover approaches or reaches a substantially horizontal position it may then be pushed downwardly to the final closed position shown in full line in FIG. 6 and also in FIG. 1.

The dimensions and proportions of the parts including the relative vertical positions of the shoulders 21 and 27 may be such that when the shoulders are in engagement as shown in FIG. 1, the top of the cover is a small distance above the top edge 33 of neck 20. Accordingly when the contents comprise cigarettes they may project a small distance above the top edge 33 and extend to substantially the inner surface of the cover as indicated at 34 in FIG. 1 for increased accessibility when the cover is removed. Of course the bundle of cigarettes may have an inner wrap in which case the line 34 would represent the upper end of the wrapped bundle.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and the neck band 20 is inset for the entire periphery of the body and correspondingly the enlarged skirt 26 and shoulder 27 extend for the entire periphery of the cover. It is not necessary that any relation similar to that indicated diagrammatically in FIG. 7 be employed for the transverse narrower dimensions shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and in fact the sides could be straight vertically, but for convenience in manufacturing and to make more certain of air-tightness the shape of the neck band 20 and the skirt portion 26 are maintained. In the specific embodiment described herein the dimension W comprising the overall thickness at the band 20 and the dimension C comprising the inner thickness of the cover portion 25 were substantially the same, being about .900 of an inch. This may result in some transverse pinching across the narrower width in the fully closed position depending upon the exact dimensions but this does not occur in the initial cover position 11' of FIG. 6 and cannot interfere with the closing. Furthermore any small inward bowing of the band 20 at the narrow sides does no harm since a full seal is provided at the cover skirt area. Likewise the outer transverse dimension V of the body and the inner dimension D of the cover may be approximately the same, making allowance for the serrations or ribbing on the sides of the body member. To allow for some variation the dimension D in the illustrative container was about .930 of an inch and the dimension V was about .926 which allows for some variation particularly in the ribs.

From the foregoing discussion and dimensions it will be apparent that the cover has a reasonably close fit with the container and particularly a close fit with the sides of the container below the shoulder 21 for the entire periphery. Referring back to the description in connection with FIG. 6 it will be apparent that the enlarged dimension A (FIG. 3) in the cover enables it to be freely applied in the manner described but when fully pushed down to the final position shown substantially in FIG. 6 the skirt portion fits snugly around the body of the container forming a reasonably air-tight seal. In addition to the close fit of the skirt portion it will be observed that the shoulder 27 on the cover fits down vertically onto the shoulder 21 of the body adding to the overall tightness of the seal. Furthermore it will be noted that the ribbing or serrations 14 terminate an appreciable distance below the shoulder 21 leaving a smooth hand area 35 which aids in forming the overall seal.

For purposes of illustration particular dimensions have been given comprising one specific example of a container embodying the principles of the invention. It will be apparent, however, that within such principles considerable variation may be employed. For example the minimum inside length of the skirt portion 26 of the cover is determined as the hypotenuse of the triangle formed by the outer dimension of the neck band 20 in the wider direction and the height of the band as illustrated in FIG. 7. Accordingly either the height or the length of the band or both may be varied so long as the inside length of the cover skirt 26 is at least equal to the hypotenuse of the two neck band dimensions. On the other hand the maximum value of the inside length of the cover skirt is dependent upon the amount of ofi'set at the shoulder 21 of the body, the essential requirement being that the cover skirt closely fit the body below the shoulder 21.

It will be apparent that other variations and changes may be made as long as they are compatible with each other and conform to th; objects and requirements which have been discussed. Accordingly it is intended that all matter contained herein shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

We claim:

1. A container having a cup-shaped body member with an open top and a cover member adapted to fit telescopically over the top portion of the body member, said members each having the general form of a rectangle in horizontal section, said body member having a neck band at the top of reduced outer dimension forming a peripheral shoulder at its junction with the body member portion below the band extending peripherally of the body member, said cover having an upper portion adapted to' fit over said neck band and an enlarged lower skirt portion adapted to extend down over and below said shoulder, the outer length of the rectangle at said neck band across the body member in one direction and the height of said neck band comprising the legs respectively of a right triangle, and the inner length in the corresponding direction of the rectangle forming said skirt of the cover beig equal at least to the hypotenuse of said right trian e.

2. A container having a cup-shaped body member With an open top and a cover member adapted to fit telescopically over the top portion of the body member, said members each having the general form of an oblong rectangle in horizontal section with a major horizontal dimension comprising the length of the corresponding rectangle, said body member having a neck band at the top of reduced outer dimension forming a peripheral shoulder at its junction with the body member portion below the band extending peripherally of the body member, said cover having an upper portion adapted to fit over said neck band and an enlarged lower skirt portion adapted to extend down over and below said shoulder, the outer length of the rectangle forming said neck band and the height of said neck band comprising the legs respectively of a right' triangle, and the inner length of the rectangle forming said skirt of the cover being equal at least to the hypotenuse of said right triangle.

3. A container having a cup-shaped body member with an open top and a cover member adapted to fit telescopically over the top portion of the body member, said members each having the general form of an oblong rectangle in horizontal section forming pairs of opposed side panels, the panels of one pair of said body member each having a band section extending downwardly from the top inset from the lower portion of the corresponding panel, the outer horizontal dimension across said band sections and the height of the band section comprising the legs respectively of a right triangle, said cover having an upper part adapted to fit down over the top part of the body member including said inset band sections and having a lower skirt part with outwardly set band sections extending upwardly from the bottom at the sides corresponding to the sides of the body member having the inset band sections, the inner horizontal dimension between said outwardly set band sections being equal at least to the hypotenuse of said right triangle.

4. A container having a cup-shaped body member with an open top and a cover member adapted to fit telescopically over the top portion of the body member, said members being of relatively thin walled drawn seamless thermoplastic material and each having the general form of an oblong rectangle in horizontal section with a major horizontal dimension comprising the length of the corresponding rectangle, said bodymember having a neck band at the top of reduced outer dimension forming a pcripheral shoulder at its junction with the body member portion below the band extending peripherally of the body member, the outer length of the rectangle forming said neck band and the height of said neck band comprising the legs respectively of a right triangle, said cover member having an upper portion adapted to fit over said neck band and an enlarged lower skirt portion, the relative dimensions of the interfitting parts of said members being such that said skirt portion is adapted to extend down over and snugly fit around the body member below said shoulder, but the inner length of the rectangle forming said skirt of the cover member is equal at least to the hypotenuse of said right triangle for ready application of the cover member.

5. A container having a cup-shaped body member with an open top and a cover member adapted to fit telescopically over the top portion of the body member, said members each having the general form of an oblong rectangle in horizontal section with a major horizontal dimension comprising the length of the corresponding rectangle, said body member having a neck band at the top of reduced outer dimension forming a peripheral shoulder at its junction with the body member portion below the band extending peripherally of the body member, the outer length of the rectangle forming said neck band and the height of said neck band comprising the legs respectively of a right triangle, said cover having an upper portion adapted to fit over said neck band and an enlarged lower skirt portion adapted to extend down over and below said shoulder, the relative dimensions of the parts being such that the cover skirt portion fits closely around the body portion below said shoulder but the inner length of the rectangle forming said skirt of the cover is equal at least to the hypotenuse of said right triangle whereby the cover may be readily applied first in an angular position with one narrow edge of the cover brought over the neck of the body member close to the shoulder on the body member and then rocked down at the opposite narrow edge and finally pushed fully down with the skirt extending down below the said shoulder.

6. A container having a cup-shaped body member with an open top and a cover member adapted to fit telescopically over the top portion of the body member, said members each having the general form of an oblong rectangle in horizontal section with a major horizontal dimension comprising the length of the corresponding rectangle, said body member having a neck band at the top of reduced outer dimension forming an outwardly projecting peripheral shoulder at its junction with the body member portion below the band continuous for the full peripheral extent of the body member, said cover having an upper portion adapted to fit over and closely engage around said neck band and an enlarged lower skirt portion adapted to extend down over and below said shoulder and fit snugly therearound and around the body member below said shoulder, the joint between said upper and lower portions of the cover member forming an inner annular shoulder continuous for the full peripheral extent of said cover member adapted when the cover member is applied to the body member to seat in an uninterrupted close sealing relation on said outwardly projecting shoulder on the body member, the outer length of the rectangle forming said neck band and the height of said neck band comprising the legs respectively of a right triangle, and the inner length of the rectangle forming said skirt of the cover being equal at least to the hypotenuse of said right triangle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,624,901 Schwieger Apr. 12, 1927 FOREIGN PATENTS 21,273 Netherlands Feb. 15, 1930 

1. A CONTAINER HAVING A CUP-SHAPED BODY MEMBER WITH AN OPEN TOP AND A COVER MEMBER ADAPTED TO FIT TELESCOPICALLY OVER THE TOP PORTION OF THE BODY MEMBER, SAID MEMBERS EACH HAVING THE GENERAL FORM OF A RECTANGLE IN HORIZONTAL SECTION, SAID BODY MEMBER HAVING A NECK BAND AT THE TOP OF REDUCED OUTER DIMENSION FORMING A PERIPHERAL SHOULDER AT ITS JUNCTION WITH THE BODY MEMBER PORTION BELOW THE BAND EXTENDING PERIPHERALLY OF THE BODY MEMBER, SAID COVER HAVING AN UPPER PORTION ADAPTED TO FIT OVER SAID NECK BAND AND AN ENLARGED LOWER SKIRT PORTION ADAPTED TO EXTEND DOWN OVER AND BELOW SAID SHOULDER, THE OUTER LENGTH OF THE RECTANGLE AT SAID NECK BAND ACROSS THE BODY MEMBER IN ONE DIRECTION AND THE HEIGHT OF SAID NECK BAND COMPRISING THE LEGS RESPECTIVELY OF A RIGHT TRIANGLE, AND THE INNER LENGTH IN THE CORRESPONDING DIRECTION OF THE RECTANGLE FORMING SAID SKIRT OF THE COVER BEING EQUAL AT LEAST TO THE HYPOTENUSE OF SAID RIGHT TRIANGLE. 